Vitali Kravtsov

January 2025 – After signing his two-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, Kravtsov hasn’t returned to North America. His 2023-24 season was reasonable, posting 34 points in 55 games, the most games he’d played in a season in almost three years. This season, however, Kravtsov has played well. He is second on the team with 40 points in 48 games and helping Traktor to the top of the KHL Eastern Conference. While this spells good news for Kravtsov, it spells bad news for fantasy owners. Kravtsov’s contract is up after this season, and it looks bleaker for a return to the NHL. While nothing is official regarding a contract, fantasy owners should be ready to part ways with Kravtsov. Nick Orr

May 2023 – Kravstov has signed a two-year deal with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. Given his success in the NHL thus far, or lack thereof, fantasygoers are likely not surprised. The Canucks can still retain his rights this summer, so it’s essential not to count out the future of him playing an NHL role (in some capacity) in the future. Yet, for now, his fantasy potential takes a huge and potentially fatal hit. Dave Hall

February 2023 – Kravtsov has finally been traded and will have a fresh start with the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks have much less depth than the Rangers, which will provide Kravtsov an excellent opportunity to live up to his draft status. Kravtsov will be looking for a new contract this summer as an RFA, and if he can find some quick chemistry with his new team, his fantasy value could be a spike. Peter Harling.

June 2022 – Kravtsov recently rejected a contract extension offer from KHL Traktor Chelyabinsk, eyeing a return to North America for the 2022-2023 season. Kravtsov posted 13 points in 19 games for Traktor this past season, in addition to 10 points in 15 playoff games. If unable to mend fences with the Rangers organization, Kravtsov will likely find himself on the trading block in the future. If possible, New York may look to have Kravtsov re-establish some market value if he can crack the Rangers’ roster out of training camp. Brendan Ferry

April 2021 – Kravtsov made his NHL debut alongside Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere this month. In his first NHL contest, the 21-year-old logged over 10 minutes of ice time and three shots. It will likely take some time for the winger to get entirely comfortable in the NHL, but after a productive KHL season, Kravtsov’s opportunity should not be restricted. Brayden Olafson

March 2021 – Kravtsov’s run in the KHL could close as early as this month. With the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals ongoing and Kravtsov’s Traktor Chelyabinsk on the brink of elimination, Vitali may be rushed to North America in time to catch the wave of offensive momentum that he’s carried through the entire KHL season and playoffs. Brayden Olafson

February 2021 – Forty-odd games into the KHL campaign, Kravtsov has shown significant improvement in his ability to get to the middle of the ice. He’s been scoring in various ways and battling many physical and technical challenges in the KHL. He remains on the cusp of impacting the Rangers’ roster; however, his debut will likely have to wait for contractual factors to align in the Fall of 2021 for that opportunity. Brayden Olafson

September 2020 – A mere six games into the KHL season, Kravtsov has demonstrated a notable uptick in his engagement and intensity relative to how he concluded the 2019-20 season in Hartford. The 20-year-old winger leads Traktor Chelyabinsk in both goals and points so far. Although it’s a narrow sample size, there’s no question that the Rangers’ prospect has found a new gear. The KHL assignment seems to be paying off early, and if the trend continues, Kravtsov could be perceived as one of the most improved prospects for the year to come. Brayden Olafson

August 2020 – Because of the uncertainty surrounding the start of the 2020-21 AHL season, Kravtsov has been loaned to his former KHL club – Traktor, where he’s signed for the season. Kravtsov struggled to gain traction in the AHL but finished the season strong with the Wolfpack. It’s unfortunate timing considering he seemed to be building momentum towards the NHL, however, the KHL is as good of a spot as any for Kravtsov to finalize his pre-NHL development. Although the further delay of his arrival is disappointing, his trajectory remains positive. Brayden Olafson

December 2019 – After a relatively brief return to the Russian pro circuit, the Rangers’ top prospect, Vitali Kravtsov, has been welcomed back to North America and the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. Kravstov’s return to Russia was notably unproductive, and the winger was temporarily demoted from Traktor’s KHL club to their VHL affiliate. The club’s brass noted that Kravstov returned to Russia with low spirits, which seemed to be affecting his game. The Rangers clarified that they would be happy to have him back in Hartford after the Russian stint failed to go as planned. If he can get any traction in Hartford, the Rangers could get anxious to keep the momentum rolling and give him a shot on Broadway before year-end. Brayden Olafson

October 2019 – After being surprisingly cut by the Rangers before the NHL season, Vitali Kravtsov was assigned to the team’s AHL club in Hartford, where his first impression of the North American hockey culture has been anything but positive. Throughout his first month in Hartford, Kravtsov was benched several times and was even relegated to the press box for a game. In five games played, he tallied a single assist. The culmination of these events led to Kravtsov opting to exercise the European assignment clause built into his entry-level contract. This development, however, does not void the 19-year-old’s NHL contract, and he will remain eligible to be recalled by the Rangers despite now also being under contract with his former KHL club, Traktor Chelyabinsk. Kravtsov’s fantasy ceiling remains high, and this transition back to the KHL should not impact his development trajectory. An ‘expected arrival’ of either March or October 2020 is reasonable. Brayden Olafson

April 2019 – After a very positive D+1 campaign driving most of the offense for a weak Traktor squad, the Rangers’ ninth-overall-pick from last summer will cross the pond. Although his contract can’t officially be signed until the conclusion of the KHL playoffs, it’s been reported that he and fellow Russian prospect Igor Shesterkin have come to terms on their ELCs with the Blueshirts. The 19-year-old will face some competition while attempting to earn a spot in the Ranger’s youthful lineup at the same time as the presumptive second-overall draft pick in the 2019 Entry Draft, right-winger Kappo Kakko. Brayden Olafson

December 2018 – Widely considered the Rangers’ top prospect, Kravtsov will have the opportunity to headline the Russian squad at the World Junior Championship in Vancouver. The Traktor winger has been producing at a high rate in the KHL and solidifying his status as one of the top offensive prospects in the league. The tournament results will likely put him on the radar of every owner in your keeper and dynasty leagues if he already isn’t. Brayden Olafson

June 2018 – At ninth overall, some considered Kravtsov a reach relative to consensus rankings. Unlike the Ranger’s first pick in the 2017 entry draft, Lias Andersson, Kravtsov was selected largely for his ceiling rather than his safe factor. As demonstrated through the KHL playoffs, the talented right winger has a tantalizing offensive touch that the Rangers will look to expose on a similar timeline to their other top prospects. Brayden Olafson